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It was one of those easy, perfect Sundays. I cruised to Kirribilli, navigating the typically annoying streets of Sydney with no traffic or hassle. I arrived on time at 9am and found a free park right near Celsius Coffee Co (for those of you who are familiar with the area, you know this is no easy feat). I met my cousin and after some confusion we found the café tucked in the corner of the wharf. We were told we could sit right away at a shared table or put our names down and wait for our own table, we decided to wait and take the opportunity to walk down the wharf and look at view of the glittering blue water on a blue, warm winters day. By the time we had finished and walked back to the café, our names was called. I told you- it was an easy, perfect Sunday.Our little table was at the back of the restaurant and had a stunning view of the water. It was like being on a boat but without the sea sickness! After looking at the menu, my cousin and I narrowed it down to the Burrata & Mushrooms (Sautéed oyster, shitake and white mushrooms, local Burrata cheese, chimichurri on sourdough) and the Celsius waffle (served with berries, maple syrup, toasted nuts and peanut butter cream) to share between us. Both were priced at $19. We each got the watermelon, apple and lemon juice at $7.50 each.

Because of our cosy location in the back of the restaurant and the views, it was such a relaxing breakfast spot and it was nice not to see the growing queue outside as you tend to see when dining at a popular brunch spot on the weekend.

Our juices arrived first and although they were nice, it seemed a bit overpriced for the amount of juice you got.

It wasn’t too long until our mains arrived. We first dug into the mushroom and burratta. I’ve never had burratta before (in case you like me haven’t heard of it, its an Italian cheese made from cream and mozzarella) but it tasted delicious with the mushrooms. And those mushrooms! So delicious! Perfectly sautéed in a tasty seasoning.

We then dug into the waffles, which were nice but it was the peanut butter cream that made it that something special. Without the peanut butter cream, I would say it was just an average dish- nothing bad, but nothing amazing.

We were glad we decided to share the two dishes as we got to try both the savoury and sweet and it was the perfect amount for the two of us. We left content, which quickly turned to relief as we saw that the café now had a massive line out the café, up the stairs and onto the street! I later read on Instagram that people had waited 2 hours for breakfast! So a hot tip is to get there around 9 (or before!) to get a spot fairly quickly. My other tip would be to get the mushroom burratta- yum!

Overall, I would highly recommend the café. It’s in a beautiful spot and the food was delicious and had elements you probably haven’t seen before.

The thing with being a food blogger and going out for a meal with friends is that you have to balance the line of getting a good shot of the food and not annoying your companions. If they are good friends, I can get away with taking a few shots at different angles but if it’s a professional setting I often miss out on getting a photo at all and hence on a potential blog post. So it was such a pleasant change of pace when I recently went to Taisho’s Pre Opening to celebrate FCBA’s 2nd birthday anniversary. A room full of food bloggers! It was the norm for each of the dishes to be passed around for each blogger to take as many photos as they needed. And we all understood that it would be worth it to wait for all the food to come out to get the best flat lay. For a non blogger this probably sounds like a nightmare but for a food review readers, it means I actually got non rushed photos for you to enjoy.

Our first entrée was the prawn and salmon salad which was served up beautifully and tasted as fresh as it looked. I was surprised to have those elements in a salad but it worked well, especially with the crunch of the fried onion on top.

Next we had a platter of sashimi. And now I have an admission to make- I am a bit funny about raw seafood and more often than not don’t like it. I cautiously tried the salmon as a safe first step- juicy and fresh and I loved it with a bit of wasabi. This gave me the confidence to try the tuna, again nice but I did prefer the salmon.

Then the chicken karage came out- there was no hesitation to try this! The karage was a little underseasoned and would have been nice if it had a little spicy kick to it (maybe from a dipping sauce?). The gyoza was similar, fine but not amazing. It was clear from these two dishes that their speciality was their seafood. The sushi that came soon after, proved this. Deliciously fresh, brightly coloured sushi.

It was then time for the main event- the bbq! We got a mix of meats including thin strips of wagyu beef, veges, and a scoop of corn topped with butter to bbq. We cooked up the veges first and the chunky chilli sauce/chutney that came with it was so delicious that I ended up just eating it on its own when we ran out of veges! The meats were all beautiful and tender and paired so perfectly with the different dipping sauces they provided. Each bite was just tastiness.

Overall I was really impressed by Taisho- they have definitely nailed the fresh seafood and bbq elements.

Note: I attended a guest of FCBA

Starved after a night out, Trattoria was an easy pick as we walked along the main strip in Bondi and ticked all our boxes; served breakfast, had a view of the beach and seemed popular but without a wait.

Our group of eight was seated straight away and given the breakfast menu. The menu featured classic breakfast items with a slight Italian twist. Along with half our group, I ordered the Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. Unlike eggs benedicts I have had at other cafes, this one was served with chilli cavolo nero (which a quick Google search told us was basically chilli kale). I also ordered a chai latte.

I have only recently been introduced to chair lattes as I am not a coffee drinker nor big on milk but I have found I do enjoy this spiced drink on a cold day, and although this one wasn’t bad I wish it had more cinnamon.

Our meals soon arrived and I was pleasantly surprised. The chilli cavolo nero added a delicious spicy flavour, making it stand out as one of the better eggs bennys I’ve had (I love chilli flavours). The eggs were perfectly poached, with a beautiful runny yolk once cut and a generous serving of the well-seasoned hollandaise sauce. Could not fault the dish.

Unfortunately being in such a prime location and on a Sunday we did have a bit of bill shock when a 10% surcharge was applied to the meal. Considering the place had plenty of free tables the surcharge seems a bit excessive. Not much you can do but a bit of a warning.

After having such a rich breakfast it is very handy that you can take a stroll along such an iconic beach. I will definitely be back if I’m in the area (I am very curious about their lunches and mains).

Our initial impression upon arriving at Downtown Brooklyn was confusion. We had thought we were going to Big Poppa’s Penrith restaurant. We had put Big Poppa’s in Google Maps. And yet we were in front of a different burger bar with a similar look. We decided it must be the same place with a new name so went on in.

It was surprisingly busy for a weeknight in suburbia but we were seated right away. They get points for nailing the New York vibe with a big replica Brooklyn Bridge in the middle of the restaurant.

The menu is full of naughty and temping things and gives people in the west the opportunity to try things like tella balls without having to go into the city. Our waitresses was very friendly and attentive and ready to take our order.

To start we ordered loaded cheesy fries to share and to be frank they were a little disappointing because the cheese sauce was that fake tasting cheese. Just use real cheese people, that sauce is a dish ruiner.

For my main, I got the Staten Island burger which has crispy fried chicken, American cheese, lettuce and spicy sauce. On arrival the burger looked so good- the chicken in particular looked so crispy and flavoursome and the first bite confirmed that it tasted exactly how it looked. So tasty and made up for the chips. But as I had more of the burger, I started to notice how salty it was. I am someone who absolutely loves salt, I am known to carry sachets of salt around because I tend to find many things under seasoned so when I think something is too salty it’s a cause of concern. I got my friend to taste and she agreed it was really nice but way too salty. It was such a shame because it actually was a really nice burger otherwise. My friend who ordered a different chicken based burger really enjoyed her one and didn’t have a seasoning problem

The silver lining of not being able to finish my burger due to saltiness was that I had room for dessert and I couldn’t go help but ordering the deep fried Twinkies. Twinkies was something I would always see on American TV shows but we never had them growing up in Australia so I was keen to try them and it was unlikely I would see deep fried Twinkies on other restaurant menus. You get two Twinkies served with two scoops of ice cream and strawberries so perfect for sharing. It was nice dish, and the ice cream and strawberries were needed to balance out the friedness of the Twinkie.

Even though they missed the mark on certain elements I actually would come back here because there is so much on the menu I want to try and think they have potential. I think it would be fun to come back with a group for drinks and burgers.

Until this month, Borough Markets was somewhere I missed out on visiting on my last visit to London. It was recommended to us by some locals in a bar but we never made it there. It is incredibly sad that it is now marred with cruel acts of terror. London was one of the first cities that I travelled to as an adult and I absolutely loved it, the sights, the fashion, the culture- amazing! One of my friends is visiting London for the first time in July and unlike me, she hates planning travel itineraries (for me, that’s one of the best bits of booking a holiday!). Because I love planning and London, I told her I would send her a list of recommendations but after recent events, I am sharing it publicly with all of you because London truly is a great city and I hate that it is now a city people are nervous to visit.

1. Have high tea at the Palace

Well almost. The Orangery sits next to Kensington Palace (the former home of Princess Diana) and is the perfect spot to indulge in some cake after exploring the grounds of the Palace.

Kensignton Palace

2. Be a total tourist and Hop on-Hop Off

Hope on and off buses are totally touristy but that is what you are! This bus is an easy way to ensure you tick off all the London icons such as Elizabeth Tower/Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye. Plus you get to travel around in a big red double decker bus which seems so British.

Tourist shot with Big Ben

3. Add some London fashion to your wardrobe at Camden Markets

It’s always nice when someone compliments you on something you are wearing and you can reply thanks, I got it in [insert cool city here]. Camden Markets ensures this reaction. The markets are great place to pick up some unique pieces with its array of eclectic stores and stalls selling all things retro, vintage, punk and just plain stylin’. Whilst there I picked up a ski jacket for three pounds from an Op shop that has now been worn both in the snow in Switzerland and Australia.

4. Indulge in a big English breakfast and a Sunday Roast

Maybe not on the same day but this is a culinary must to get into the English spirit. And its not hard to find, we had an English breakfast of baked beans, eggs, sausage, bacon, mushroom, tomato and hashbrowns for under four pounds at a bar near our accomodation. And had a delicious Sunday Roast at Fuller's Dove Bar.

English Sunday Roast

5. Catch a show

I wish we had watched a musical while in London which is why I am adding it to the list so you don't miss out! You can get heavily discounted tickets on the day.

6. Primark

So this one isn't a tourist attraction per say but you would be hard pressed to find an Australian female who has travelled to London and been to Primark who doesn't rave about it. Super cheap stylish pieces.

7. Ice skating at Somerset House

This is a winter only event unfortunately but yay if you are going in the cooler months. They set up an ice rink outside Somerset House and its really beautiful to skate around at night.That is seven of my London highlights- anything you love about London town that I am missing?

Since visiting Italy over five years ago I have been in search of Pizza that is at a similar standard. Take away pizza joints were no longer cutting it after I had tasted just how delicious pizza could be. When I heard Verace Pizzeria was winning world wide awards for its Naples style pizza, I had to try it.

With a 6pm booking for a Friday night, we arrived to claim our table for three and were surprised to see a find a fairly empty restaurant. The enthusiastic waiter ran us through the specials in a thick Italian accent, and sold them so well that we ended up picking the special gnocchi and pizza with salami, basil and mushrooms. We also ordered a prosciutto pizza and bolognaise arancini for starters. Feeling the Friday feels I also got a bellini (peach puree and Prosecco) and my cousin got the version with strawberry puree and they were both so tasty! A great way to cheers the start of the weekend.

The restaurant began to fill up and the service became slower. It took while but finally our arancini arrived first, one for each of us and they were quite large. More oblong like than the traditional sphere. I felt they were underseasoned and needed a bit more “wetness” inside, whether than be from cheesiness or sauciness.

A bit more of a wait until our mains came one by one. We got everything to share so that we could taste more. The gnocci was served with a tomato based sauce. The gnocci itself was beautiful, fresh and fluffy. However the sauce it was served with was again underseasoned and underwhelming, which was such a shame because I love a good gnocci. But maybe pasta is not their game. The pizzas just based on looks alone looked great and authentic. Picking it up, you have to roll it just like in Italy to eat it. It may have been my extremely high standards but I wasn’t amazed as I was expecting to be. Comparing it to a pizza chain pizza (don’t want to name any names), it is definitely nicer and of a higher quality. I actually can’t fault the pizza, it just didn’t blow my mind.

If the restaurant becomes a little more generous with its seasoning, I will definitely be back because they have the potential to be an amazingly delicious place.

I have recently started a new job
in South West Sydney, not that familiar with the area there was one thing
people did recommend checking out- Glacage. One friend described it as the
west’s answer to The Grounds of Alexandria so I was keen to check it out.
Luckily the location chosen for my welcome to the team lunch was Glacage so I
didn’t have to wait too long to try it.

The café is definitely one you
have to be specifically looking for to try as is it is hidden away from the
street but being tucked away gave it a nice quiet feel. The café is definitely
not as big as the Grounds and there are no life stock but it does have a
garden-y feel with undercover outdoor seating.

Glacage has a whole day breakfast
menu and that’s clearly where their energy goes to because it is much larger
than the lunch menu. Not that I am complaining- I love all day breakfast! One
of their more “’gramable” dishes are there boards but on this occasion I
couldn’t go past the baked eggs (I’ll go back to try one of the boards).

Their baked eggs, chickpeas and
eggplants definitely have more of a Middle Eastern influence and tasted a
little curry-like to me- very different to the tomato based Spanish style ones
I have tried in the past. It is served with bread and is really filling. I was
only able to get through three quarters of it and I was full until dinner
(which is a big deal for a constant snacker like me). It was a tasty hearty
dish that is perfect for a winter’s day.

The café also has a tempting
collection of pastries and cakes, including mini versions of Papa’s Pasticceria
famous ricotta cheesecake (both the original and Nutella).

Will definitely be back (probably several
times!) and excited to discover other foodie spots in the area- if you know of
any good spots please let me know!

Galle is located in the south coast of Sri Lanka and is where we
typically base ourselves when visiting the south. The little seaside town has
plenty to do, but today I am going to focus on the day trips you can do from
Galle (if you are interested in what to within in Galle check it outhere). Whether you are after animals,
nature or culture I have it covered for you:

Unawatuna

Only a 15 minute drive from Galle
this is an easy, accessible day trip. And because it is so close it can be
quiet a spontaneous decision to go and all you need to do is hail a tuk when
you have made the decision. I actually did this day trip last month while in
Sri Lanka, leading a group of friends. Our first stop was theJapanese Peace Pagoda.This is a beautiful temple that was
built after the tsunami and overlooks the ocean. The name is so fitting because
it is so quiet and peaceful, tucked away on the outskirts of town. It is a temple
so be respectful and cover up.

The Peace Pagoda carpark is also where you start the walk down the Jungle Beach. Its about a 5 minute walk down the jungle path until you come to a small, pristine beach. The snorkeling is apparently quiet nice here but there are no shops so you will have to bring your own gear.

Japanese Beach Pagoda

After relaxing at Jungle Beach head to Unawatuna Beach, a totally different vibe to Jungle Beach. The beach is lined with restaurants, bars and hire shops. Here you can hire snorkel gear, scuba gear, book a boat tour, or just grab some food. You could easily spend the rest of your day here before heading home.

Jungle Beach

Hikkaduwa
The beach town of Hikkaduwa has been a tourist hotspot for a long time and on my visit there recently, I could see why. Unlike the beaches in Galle and Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa is a better surf beach and you can hire surf boards on the beach. But whats really special about this beach is marine visitors. While we were there we were lucky enough to encounter five giant turtles swimming close to shore. It was amazing to be so close to them. They surprisingly weren't timid but rather focused on snapping up as much seaweed as possible. I can't guarantee you will see them but a quick search of Hikkaduwa on Instagram reveals that they do seem to visit quiet often.

Just a regular swim at Hikkaduwa

If you do miss out on seeing the turtles in their natural habitat, there is a turtle sanctuary that sits on the road from Galle to Hikkaduwa (a little past the LightHouse Hotel if you are coming from Galle). The turtle sanctuary looks after turtles that have been injured (boats are not turtles friends) before releasing them into the wild and taking in the ones that cannot return. They also help protect baby turtles so they can safely make their journey from their eggs to the ocean.

Yala National Park
When you think Safari, you naturally think of Africa but Sri Lanka actually has some great ones where you can spot elephants, buffalo, leopards, monkeys and a plethora of bird species. Yala National Park is a little of three hours from Galle and its probably best to hire a car for the day to make the journey is comfort. The park consists of five blocks and only two are open to the public so its not guaranteed you will see all the park has to offer and the leopards are particularly elusive (we drove around for hours only to spot the tail of leopard hidden in the distance). The best time to spot animals is when the sun is at is weakest, so that is either early morning or later in the afternoon.

Yala National Park

Kataragama
Three hours from Galle, Kataragama is a pilgrimage site sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. Because the site is sacred to various religions, you are able to observes shrines for different faiths in one area as well as the different religious practices. If you visit during July/August you might be lucky enough to witness the Kataragama Perahera, a colourful procession of lights, dancers and elephants through the town.

Kataragama is actually quiet close to Yala so depending on your interests and timings you could do both in one day.

Soaked to the bone (we had got caught in the rain mid run at Parramatta Park) we arrive at the Social Hideout and join the line of people waiting out front of the restaurant. It’s not clear why there is a line because there a lots of empty tables and eventually someone ushers everyone in the line to a table.

Freezing and feeling uncomfortable from our wet clothes, all we want are hot drinks so we quickly pick what we want (they gave us one menu for three people) and we wait. And we wait. And wait so long and after our first few attempts at attention go ignored, we wonder if there is no table service. Eventually we call someone down and ask if we need to go to the counter to order and he says no and takes our order. Order a Chai Latte and “The Frenchy”, their French toast dish. This is then followed by another long wait and finally our hot drinks arrive and we drink them up pretty quickly. The Chai latte did the drink to warm me up from the inside and I enjoyed the aromatic drink.

And then of course, there was a another long wait until our meals began to arrive. My friends got their dishes first and I insisted they begin without me because the service was proving to be slow. My French toast arrives and I am impressed at how pretty it looks (so pretty I don’t notice they forgot the maple syrup until someone runs over with it later). The dish normally comes with caramelised banana but I ordered it without. Despite how pretty it was, the dish was pretty average. My friend who ordered the “Habib” which included poached eggs, humus, mushroom also said despite the potential for her dish to be delicious the execution wasn’t there which resulted in an average dish. Which really nailed what the Social Hideout was. It was tucked away in a good spot with free parking, cute décor, a tasty sounding menu but the poor service, high prices and average dishes resulted in us not wanting to come back. And considering Parramatta has such good cafes you would think they would have tried harder.

Overall, a disappointing visit.

This recipe is super easy to make, feeds 12, is less than $2 per serve and is tasty! What more could you want. I originally posted my version of Chang Mai Noodles a few years back but have adapted it again to make it even cheaper to make. You can easily find these ingredients in the asian aisle of your local Woolworths or Coles.

1. Cut the chicken breast into slices and marinate with one tablespoon of the red curry past paste. Set aside in the fridge for one hour
2. In a large pot, brown the chicken
3. Add all the remaining ingredients and simmer until the noodles cook through